He's back

Hi all...thanks for your prayers for Paul. He returned last night (or this morning) at 3AM. They lost three out of four games and Paul came home with a sprained ankle but all in all, it was a good trip. Good for getting to know some of the guys and good for Paul to share about why he's here. A couple of the guys wanted to come home last night which is why they got in so late/early. Paul was hoping to hang out a bit more in the area but it wasn't meant to be. Thanks again for praying...please keep it up!

Sports and Ministry

Unfortunately for you, dear reader, you don't hear from my dear husband a whole lot and that is due to a couple reasons...1)he's busy, 2) he doesn't like to write so between the two you have to rely on me to keep you updated about him...in which I generally do a poor job. However, let me share a little bit with you about some of Paul's ministry here in Ram 2.
For nearly two years now, Paul has been going to the university campus to play basketball. I don't think when we came to Thailand Paul ever thought he would be doing "sports ministry" but really, that is what he is doing. This type of ministry is one of the best ways to meet Thai men. Many Thais exercise in the early evening hours. You can go to any park nearby (or the campus for us) and see pick-up games of soccer, basketball, and takraw (a game thais play with a little woven ball and you can only use your feet to get the ball over the net), badmitton and walkers and runners. Generally, Thai men are not the easiest group to meet but because of Paul's faithfulness and persistence in sticking with these guys, he is starting to get to know them and be welcomed into their group more and more. He has been playing with the same group of guys for these past two years and has gotten to know Mii quite well (pictured with Paul). Paul considers Mii his best Thai friend and they have done much together from celebrating New Years last year together up north in Mii's hometown to studying Scripture together. And next week, Mii, Paul and six other guys are going to eastern Thailand to play in a basketball tournament!!! Mii invited Paul last week and I must say we are both excited about this opportunity. They will only be playing a few hours out of the day and so that leaves the rest of the day to talk and get to know one another. Please be praying for Paul and the guys during this time. Pray for traveling mercies as Paul will be driving six hours to get there, but mostly pray for God's Spirit to be at work in and thru Paul and in the lives of these 7 guys. Again, who would have thought God would use basketball...and yet He is and does use whatever He deems necessary. Please continue to pray for the campus ministry team as they seek to reach the lost at Ram 2's campus. Pray for many opportunities, thru sports or otherwise, for the team to proclaim the Gospel.